2023
Assessing the Prevalence Rates of Internalizing Symptomatology Among Multiracial Adolescents in the United States: A Systematic Review
Henson-García M, Weerakoon S, Duncan C, Choe T, Opara I, A. Baker K, L. Sterling K, Messiah S. Assessing the Prevalence Rates of Internalizing Symptomatology Among Multiracial Adolescents in the United States: A Systematic Review. Child Psychiatry & Human Development 2023, 1-14. PMID: 38042957, DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01636-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInternalizing symptomsMultiracial adolescentsPrevalence of anxiety symptomsInternalizing symptomatologyAnxiety symptomsDepressive symptomatologySymptomatologyPrevalence estimatesMethodological inconsistenciesAdolescentsSystematic reviewSymptomsPrevalence ratesPeer-reviewed studiesAPA PsycInfoOvid MEDLINEComprehensive searchPrevalenceStudy selectionUnited StatesEpidemiological researchAdolescent Polysubstance Use and Co-Occurring Weapon Carrying, Bullying Victimization, and Depressive Symptomology: Patterns and Differences in the United States
Weerakoon S, Henson-Garcia M, Abraham A, Vidot D, Messiah S, Opara I. Adolescent Polysubstance Use and Co-Occurring Weapon Carrying, Bullying Victimization, and Depressive Symptomology: Patterns and Differences in the United States. Child Psychiatry & Human Development 2023, 1-12. PMID: 37477824, PMCID: PMC11229529, DOI: 10.1007/s10578-023-01573-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBullying victimizationPolysubstance useUnited StatesPrevalence of polysubstance useWeapon-carryingMultiracial youthVictimsBullyingYouthWeaponsPolysubstance combinationsAdolescent substanceFrequent useRisky behaviorsNational prevalenceNon-Hispanic whitesMental healthLogistic regressionHigh school studentsPoor mental healthPolysubstanceViolenceDepressive symptomsDemographic characteristicsOdds
2021
Symptoms of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
Okafor C, Asare M, Bautista K, Opara I. Symptoms of distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. American Journal Of Health Studies 2021, 36 PMID: 34335012, PMCID: PMC8321393, DOI: 10.47779/ajhs.2021.638.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOdds of feelingSymptoms of distressAcute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemicSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemicCoronavirus 2 pandemicGeneral healthRecent smokingPsychosocial factorsTreatment interventionsTargeted preventionYounger ageMental healthCOVID-19 pandemicSymptomsDepressionOddsUnited StatesDistressHealthPandemicSmokingPrevention
2019
Increasing Viral Hepatitis Knowledge Among Urban Ethnic Minority Youth: Findings from a Community Based Prevention Intervention
Opara I, Lardier D, Herrera A, Garcia-Reid P, Reid R. Increasing Viral Hepatitis Knowledge Among Urban Ethnic Minority Youth: Findings from a Community Based Prevention Intervention. Journal Of Community Health 2019, 45: 269-277. PMID: 31515664, PMCID: PMC7065932, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00740-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEthnic minority youthMinority youthUrban communitiesUrban ethnic minority youthNortheastern urban communityHepatitis knowledgeViral hepatitis knowledgeLogistic regression analysisHIV/AIDSYouthUnited StatesKnowledge interventionOpioid epidemicPrevention interventionsVH casesSubstance abuseEducation interventionBaseline surveyCommunityInterventionU.S.Significant increaseRegression analysisInfectionInnovative approach“It All Starts With the Parents”: A Qualitative Study on Protective Factors for Drug-Use Prevention Among Black and Hispanic Girls
Opara I, Lardier D, Reid R, Garcia-Reid P. “It All Starts With the Parents”: A Qualitative Study on Protective Factors for Drug-Use Prevention Among Black and Hispanic Girls. Affilia 2019, 34: 199-218. PMID: 31341350, PMCID: PMC6655418, DOI: 10.1177/0886109918822543.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHispanic adolescent girlsQualitative studyParental modelingNarratives of participantsProtective factorsMost salient factorsAdolescent girlsIntersectional approachIntersectionality theorySocial workersParent-child communicationFemale participantsSubstance abuse prevention programDrug use preventionDrug useEnvironmental contextThematic analysisTheoretical frameworkFocus groupsSalient factorsMain themesTarget cityUnited StatesSubstance useAdolescent females